Year: 2025 | Month: December | Volume: 12 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 169-178
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20251220
Simulation and Assessment of a Reinforced Concrete Slab Using the GPR Method
Cheikh Diallo Diene1, Mapathé Ndiaye2, Ouindedonde Jean François Ouedraogo3
1Laboratory of Geophysics,
Laboratory of Modelization and Soils Mechanics, UFR Sciences de l’Ingénieur, Iba Der Thiam University, Thies, Senegal.
Corresponding Author: Cheikh Diallo Diene
ABSTRACT
This article presents a study on the simulation and assessment of reinforced concrete structures using the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) method, applied to the slab of the Engineering Sciences Department (UFR Sciences de l’Ingénieur) at the University of Thiès. An on-site experimental survey was carried out to acquire radar measurements over a 3 × 2.75 m grid consisting of 5 longitudinal and 5 transverse profiles. The measuring device used was a GSSI Radar with a 1600 MHz antenna, prospecting to a depth of 30 cm, with a sampling interval of 2 cm and a measurement window of 10 ns. The experimental study was coupled with a numerical simulation of electromagnetic wave propagation performed with the GPRMax computational code. The simulated model consisted of a reinforced concrete slab with four rebars spaced at 20 cm and a solid PVC pipe, along with a crack located at the top of two reinforcements. The experimental method provided radargrams that enabled the identification of the position and arrangement of the rebars as well as zones showing density variations or internal defects. This identification was enhanced by recognizing the radar signatures of objects crossed by the electromagnetic waves, as produced by GPRMax profiles. The compilation of radargrams according to the survey grid yielded a 3D imaging output highlighting the asymmetric arrangement of the reinforcement layers. The comparison between experimental and simulated results validated the reliability of the simulation and demonstrated the effectiveness of the GPR method for the non-destructive evaluation of reinforced concrete structures. This approach constitutes a valuable tool for preventive maintenance and for planning interventions on infrastructures.
Keywords: Simulation, assessment, GPR, GPRMax, UFR Sciences de l’Ingénieur
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